Submitted by Axel Jimenez, State Farm Agent
Who wouldn’t prefer to spend the holidays in a festive home setting rather than in the emergency room? But falls, fires, and injuries often happen while people are decorating their homes for the season. Help reduce your chance for injuries with these timely tips.
Prevent Fires
- If you have a real tree, choose a fresh one and water it frequently. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) estimate 240 wintertime fires start with dry Christmas trees each year.
- Check light strands to be sure they’re not frayed. Discard lights that have exposed wires or show signs of wear. And reduce the chance for current overload by connecting no more than three strands of lights together.
- Never leave lit candles unattended, especially near children or pets. Extinguish flames before you leave home or go to bed. Better still: use battery-powered candles.
- Place your tree as far from the fireplace as possible, and keep other combustible materials away from the flames. Don’t let garlands or greens hang over the mantel where they might ignite.
Climb Carefully
- Use a sturdy wooden or fiberglass ladder to hang exterior lights. Aluminum ladders have the potential to conduct the current of a frayed light cord.
- Always work with a partner when hanging outdoor lights. He or she can hold the ladder steady, fetch materials, or get help if you are injured.
- Plan to hang exterior lights over a weekend when you have more daylight hours to work in.
- Inside, stand on a sturdy ladder to put the star on the tree or to reach other high places. Don’t lean off the ladder while decorating; climb down and move it closer.
- Put cookie jars and candy dishes out of reach of small children and deter them from climbing up to get a treat.
Avoid Toxins
- Avoid using fire salt or other products that add color to flames. Children who ingest these products can experience severe gastrointestinal problems.
- If you’re using artificial snow on your tree, allow for proper ventilation to avoid lung irritation, and avoid contact with eyes.
- Wear gloves if decorating with spun glass (“angel hair”) to prevent eye and skin irritation.
- Avoid decorating with poisonous plants such as holly and its berries, Jerusalem cherries, and mistletoe. (Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias aren’t poisonous. However, because eating the leaves can lead to upset stomachs and contact with the leaves can cause skin irritation in some people, it’s best to monitor children and pets near these plants.)
Axel Jimenez State Farm Agency is located at 1520 E. College Ave., Suite E in Normal. You may reach him at 309-451-FARM (3276) or email: Axel@axelismyagent.com. Get more safety tips for decorating during the holidays from State Farm.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. Nor is it intended to effect coverage under any policy. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made.
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